A rarely-used cancer drug has been shown to reverse the symptoms of early Alzheimer's disease in mice. The drug Bexarotene is traditionally used to treat T-Cell lymphoma, a disease that affects about 3000 Americans a year.
In a new study, researchers gave mice in the early stages of Alzheimer's the drug, and found some of their brain abnormalities were reversed. They also performed better on tests of memory and social behavior. Experts say the drug has not been tested in humans for this purpose, but they will start those studies in a few months.
Oncologists who have used the drug to treat their cancer patients say they have never noticed a change in mental function in their patients; however, few -- if any -- of their patients also had dementia.
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